COUNTY NEWS: Illegal immigrants working in Indian restaurant are arrested, Home Office says

James Butler

Immigration Enforcement officers have arrested five immigration offenders following an operation at a business in Storrington, according to a statement issued by the Home Office.

It said: “Acting on intelligence, officers visited Cottage Tandoori, West Street, on Thursday evening. Staff were questioned to establish whether they had the right to live and work in the UK.

“Two of the men from Bangladesh, aged 35 and 49, were found to have entered the UK illegally. A further three Bangladeshi nationals, two 34-year-olds and one aged 36, had overstayed their visas. All five were arrested and remain in immigration detention pending removal from the UK.

“A sixth man, a 28 year-old from Myanmar who has no right to work in the UK, was also found to be working at the business. He was escorted from the business and must report regularly to the Home Office while his case is progressed.

“The business has been served a notice warning that financial penalties of up to £20,000 per illegal worker found will be imposed.

“This is unless it can demonstrate that appropriate right to work document checks were carried out, such as seeing a passport or Home Office document confirming permission to work. If proof is not provided, this is a potential total of up to £120,000.

“Assistant Director Richard Lederle, head of the Kent and Sussex Immigration Enforcement team, said: ‘We are working hard to tackle illegal working and those who abuse the UK’s immigration system.

‘We expect everyone here illegally to leave the UK voluntarily; for those who don’t the message is clear. We will find, detain and remove you.

‘There are simple checks employers can carry out to ensure their employees have the right to work in the UK. Those who choose to ignore the rules will face the consequences.

‘We rely on information from the public and I would urge people to report suspected immigration abuse to us.’”

Information to help employers carry out checks to prevent illegal working can be found on the government website by clicking here. It includes a new quick answer right-to-work tool to help employers check if someone has the right to work in the UK.